sign of intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sign of intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a gesture, action, or indication that reflects someone's intention or desire to do something. Example: "The proposal was a clear sign of intention to collaborate on future projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The number of trials in which the child showed some sign of intention became the second outcome measure of the total intentional solution score.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The most important evidence of this appears in a passage at the beginning of Part XII where Philo says that no one can be so stupid as to reject the view that there are signs of intention and design in this world and that it is evident, as Cleanthes has argued, "that the works of nature bear a great analogy to the productions of art" (D, 12.6/216 7 — my emphasis).

SEP

She called the government's actions "clearly not a sign of their intention to cooperate in good faith".

The New York Times

The clearest sign of his intention can be found not in the letter but on the back of the envelope, which he marked with a return address of subtle tenderness: "From: a former admirer of J. Daniel-Norman".

The New Yorker

In a sign of its intention to wage a hostile battle, it wants a judge to rule that all 13 of Anheuser's directors are liable to removal through a vote by shareholders – including five recently elected board members.

The Guardian - Business

Even though the postal agency uses no taxpayer money and supports itself, he hopes the action will be seen as a sign of his intention to reduce the wasteful spending that has Japan shouldering a huge deficit.

The New York Times

The fourth traditionally liberal justice, Stephen Breyer, was unusually quiet during Hobby Lobby's appeal and repeatedly stressed that his questions should not be seen as a sign of his intention in either direction.

The Guardian

"The 25% decline in grants across the [spending review] period, with no sign of any intention or even desire to level this out in later years, has filled the community with deep pessimism and anger," the society added.

The Guardian

In a sign of its intention to pare spending to pay for the war on terrorism, the Bush administration has proposed substantial cuts in the Smithsonian Institution's budget, enraging scientists who said the reductions would effectively gut the institution's research capabilities.

The New York Times

In opening this season's cabaret events with two performances last Thursday by Jane Monheit, an immensely promising and charismatic young jazz singer, the series offered a heartening sign of its intention to seed the future as well as honor America's songwriting tradition.

The New York Times - Arts

Although there is no suggestion the Pope intends to change formal doctrine or belief, the survey is being seen by some observers as a further sign of his intention to reform the church.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sign of intention", ensure the context clearly establishes what the intention is. For instance, specify "a sign of intention to collaborate" rather than just "a sign of intention".

Common error

Avoid assuming that a possible "sign of intention" is a definite commitment. Always seek confirmation or additional evidence before acting on the assumption that someone intends to do something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sign of intention" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something that serves as an indicator of someone's planned course of action. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sign of intention" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote an indicator of a planned action or goal. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be helpful in emphasizing actions, signals, or announcements of plans to do something. It's most common in news and media, with a neutral to professional register. Related phrases include "indication of intent" and "evidence of purpose". When using the phrase, ensure the intention is clear from the context to avoid misinterpretation. While the phrase itself is correct, remember a "sign of intention" does not automatically guarantee that the intention will be realized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indication of intent

Replaces "sign" with "indication" and "intention" with "intent", offering a more formal tone.

evidence of purpose

Substitutes "sign" with "evidence" and "intention" with "purpose", shifting the focus to demonstrable proof.

demonstration of commitment

Emphasizes the aspect of commitment rather than a general intention.

manifestation of desire

Highlights the underlying desire driving the intention.

expression of intent

Focuses on the communication of the intention, rather than the intention itself.

hint of aspiration

Suggests a subtle or indirect indication of intention.

promise of action

Emphasizes the commitment to future action implied by the intention.

guarantee of fulfillment

Indicates a high degree of certainty that the intention will be realized.

declaration of objective

Replaces 'intention' with 'objective' and makes the expression more formal

symbol of aim

Implies that an action or object stands for a broader intention

FAQs

How can I use "sign of intention" in a sentence?

You can use "sign of intention" to indicate an action or gesture that reveals someone's intent. For example, "The new policy was a clear "sign of intention" to improve employee welfare."

What are some alternatives to "sign of intention"?

Alternatives include "indication of intent", "evidence of purpose", or "demonstration of commitment", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "sign of intention" formal or informal?

"Sign of intention" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "indication of intent" may be preferred in certain professional settings.

What's the difference between "sign of intention" and "good intentions"?

"Sign of intention" refers to an observable indicator of a plan or aim, while "good intentions" describe the underlying moral purpose or motivation behind an action. "Good intentions" do not necessarily translate into a clear "sign of intention".